title: Decreased phagocytic activity of Kupffer cells in a rat nonalcoholic steatohepatitis model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate Kupffer cell dynamics and phagocytic activity, using a rat nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Male F344 rats were fed either a control diet or a choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined (CDAA) diet, followed by contrast enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) using Levovist. The uptake of latex beads by the Kupffer cells was determined by fluorescent microscopy. The status of the Kupffer cells was compared between the two groups, using the immunohistochemical staining technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 4 or more wk of the CDAA diet, CEUS examination revealed a decrease in the signal intensity, 20 min after intravenous Levovist. Fluorescent microscopic examination showed that the uptake of latex beads by the Kupffer cells was reduced at week 1 and 2 in the study group, compared with the controls, with no further reduction after 3 wk. Immunohistochemical staining revealed no significant difference in the Kupffer cell counts between the control group and the CDAA group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CEUS examination using Levovist demonstrated reduced contrast effect and phagocytic activity in the liver parenchymal phase, although the Kupffer cell numbers were unchanged, indicating reduced phagocytic function of the Kupffer cells in the rat NASH model. We believe that CEUS examination using Levovist is a useful screening modality, which can detect NASH in fatty liver patients.
authors.affiliation: Third Department of Internal Medicine, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara 634-8522, Japan. tat-tyan@xa2.so-net.ne.jp
authors.forename: Tatsuhiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsujimoto
authors.forename: Hideto
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kawaratani
authors.forename: Toshiyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kitazawa
authors.forename: Toshiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hirai
authors.forename: Hajime
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ohishi
authors.forename: Mitsuteru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kitade
authors.forename: Hitoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yoshiji
authors.forename: Masahito
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Uemura
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fukui
mesh_terms: D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003287:Contrast Media; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007728:Kupffer Cells / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008863:Microspheres; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000502:physiology*; D011134:Polysaccharides; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D011134:Polysaccharides; C059891:SHU 508; D000410:Alanine Transaminase